Ocala high school coach accused of having sexual relations with a student

An assistant coach at West Port High School in Ocala is in custody, accused of having sexual relations with a student.

What we know:

Ocala Police arrested 43-year-old James Ford III on Friday after they say the victim told a school resource officer that the two had started a relationship in January 2024.

Courtesy: Ocala Police Department.

Detectives say the two started texting before they began meeting outside of school in August. The student said they kissed in the school locker room and had a sexual encounter in Ford's vehicle in September.

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The student was 16 at the time of that encounter.

Charges

  • Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors
  • Offenses against students by authority figures
  • Travel to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity
  • Use of two-way communication device to facility felony

What's next:

Ocala police say that anyone who may have experienced similar behavior should contact authorities.

The Source: Information for this story came from the Ocala Police Department.

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